Ball rollbacks, 2-stroke penalties, and Tiger!

GM. This is Easy Pars. The golf newsletter that totally loves golf technology — unlike the USGA.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• Tiger could be really back this time!

• Golf ball rollback. Will it change your game?

• Morikawa breaks a weird rule (well, his caddy did).

If Tiger’s happy, we’re happy, right?

So, Tiger finished his first tour event since the Genesis Invitational, back in February.

He went on to play in the Masters, and we all know how that turned out. He didn’t finish, had surgery, and his tour time seemed like it was over.

Well, Tiger has proven more resilient than we’d hoped!

His performance at the Hero World Challenge was nothing short of incredible — all things considered.

First, he finished the tournament. Second, he came in 18th, just behind Fowler and ahead of Wyndham Clark!

According to his press conference, he’s very pleased with how things went and feels a once-a-month event is going to be his new playing cadence. We look forward to seeing him in the ‘24 season, and who knows, maybe he really can win.

Looks like the rock is rolling back

“Rolling the rock” is something golfers say when referring to their putting.

Now, the USGA is making their own rock rolling decision (according to multiple reports).

The skinny?

Changes (allegedly) to be announced will result in a 5% decrease in distance.

To put that in perspective, the top 5 drivers in the PGA avg about 320 yards. A 5% reduction takes that average to 304 yards.

Honestly, the EasyPars crew looks forward to the first few events of 2024, if theses changes are made.

These pros are so good they know, down to the yard, exactly how far their ball will go. Now, throw in a rolled back ProV…negative 1?

At least for the events in February, we’d imagine some challenging shots.

But what we think is irrelevant. What do you think?

And the pros are mixed on the subject. Some, like Rory, love the idea.

Others, not so much. Many are outspoken about it. To be honest, it’s likely a good thing, with some transitory pain.

Right now, so many hit long, it’s like every par 4 is driver + wedge + putter. The only time irons are out are on par 3s, hard fairways, or short holes.

With the rollback, maybe legitimate iron play will be back to normal? We’ll see.

Speaking of limiting golf equipment…

Ok, so pros won’t be able to hit quite as far in 2024, but did you know that levels aren’t allowed, either?

Outrage.

Imagine this, you’re on the range, practicing before your tee time at the Hero World Challenge.

An official shows up and says, “Hey, you have a 2-stroke penalty.”

“What, why?!”

“Your caddy used a level on the practice green.”

This is exactly what happened to Colin Morikawa. His caddy, JJ Jakovac, used a level (get this) on the practice green. Did some caddy-math and then made the penalty-inducing mistake of writing down some notes in Morikawa’s yardage book.

Let’s get technical for one minute.

It’s not against the rules to have the level. It’s not against the rules to use the level to gauge the slope of the green.

But when you (or your caddy) write down those enhanced calculations in your yardage book — BAM! — that’s 2 strokes, pal.

According to Chief Referee, Stephen Cox, “…unwittingly, the player used a level to determine degrees of slope on the practice putting green, which in itself, isolated, is not a breach, but what that player did was formulated a chart and transferred that into his book.”

When asked how he took it, Cox said, “They understood the rule was broken, but anytime the rules penalize a player there is inevitable pushback and frustration…”

EasyPars translation: When asked how he took it, Cox wanted to say, “Like a typical PGA pro, whined like a baby.”

We like to read between the lines here.

Meme of the Day

😂😂

And that’s a wrap on today’s issue, golfer. The tournament schedule cools down during December, but the news is highly likely to heat up with the rollback decision and Rahm maybe making the switch to LIV.

Tune in Thursday, where we’ll break it all down.

Later gator,

E.